Electric candle socket



Feb. 20, 1934. w. c. TREGONING 1,948,144

ELECTRIC CANDLE SOCKET Filed 001. 16, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 20,1934.

W. C. TREGONING ELECTRIC CANDLE SOCKET Filed Oct. 16, 1929 46 ff! 42 -41M @w l 44 44 46 m IZ 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 BMW;

kgmm Momw Patented Feb. 20, 1934 UNETED STATES 1,948,144 ELECTRIC oANnLESOCKET William C. Tregoning, Wauwatosa, Wis., assignor to Cutler-Hammer,Inc., Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Delaware Application October 16,1929. Serial No. 399,967

7 Claims. (Cl. 173--358)' This invention relates to improvements inelectric candle sockets, and more particularly to improvements inadjustable candle sockets of the keyless type.

An object of the invention is to generally improve the details ofconstruction and assembly of the socket parts.

Another object is to provide novel interlocking connections between theseveral parts of the socket and the support therefor.

Another object is to provide improved and simplified means for effectingadjustment of the socket height.

Another object is to provide novel means for facilitating attachment ofthe assembled socket and support to a suitable outlet fixture.

Another object is to provide wiring terminal ;members of novel formwhereby the insulating tube of the socket may be supported.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear.

The accompanying drawings illustrate an embodiment of the inventionwhich will now be described, it being understood that the embodimentillustrated is susceptible of modification in certain details thereofwithin the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of an adjustablekeyless candle socket constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section, showing theadjusting elements in extended relation,--the section being taken in aplane at right angles to the section of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top planview of the socket shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a metal blank from which the lower element ofthe adjustable support may be formed. I

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the blank from which the upper element of theadjustable support may be formed.

Figs. 6, '7 and 8 are, respectively, top plan, front and sideelevational views of said upper element of the adjustable support.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the blank employed to provide the screw shellcontact wiring terminal.

Figs. 10 and 11 are top plan and side elevational views of said screwshell terminal.

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the blank employed to provide the centercontact wiring terminal.

Figs. 13 and 14. are top plan and side elevational views of said centercontactterminal.

Fig. 15 is a plan view of one of the duplicate insulating disks of thesocket.

Fig. 16 is a top plan view of the screw shell contact of the socket, andi Fig. 17 is an enlarged perspective view, in separated relation, ofcertain of the parts illustrated in Fig. l,a part of the screw-shellcontact being broken away for purposes of illustration.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 20 designates the lower elementof the adjustable support for the lamp socket. Said element as shown ispreferably formed from a metal blank of the character illustrated at 20in Fig. 4,the intermediate perforated disk-shaped portion 21 of saidblank being pressed or swaged to form the annular channel or reflexedend 21, the inner cylindrical surface ofv which. is tapped. as indicatedat 22 for cooperation with the usual threaded end of a wire conduit orfixture support (not shown). g

Extending inwardly from opposite sides of the end portion 21 and thenupwardly in slightly divergent relation to each other is a pair of arms23 and 24 of equal length,--arm 23 being 7 provided adjacent to itsupper end with a slot 25 to freely accommodate the shank of a clampingscrew 26, and arm 24 being provided adjacent to its upper end with atapped opening 27 for cooperation with said screw shank.

Prior to insertion of screw 26, however, the arms 23 and 24 are adaptedto receive therebetween the upper element 23 of the adjustable support.Element 28 may be formed from the fiat metal blank shown at 28 in Fig.5,-the sides of said blank being bent upwardly at right angles along thedotted lines 29 and 30 thus forming the flanges 29 and 30 which coactwith the main body of said element to form a portion 31 of channel shapein cross section. Portion 31 is provided with a slot 32 extendingthroughout the major portion of the length thereof, said slot providingclearance for the shank of screw 26.

As shown the arm 23 of the lower element 20 is adapted to slidably fitwithinthe channelshaped portion 31 of the upper element, whereas the arm24 is adapted to overlie the rear face of said portion 31. Portion 31 isalso preferably provided with graduations and numerals 33 to indicatethe overall length of the device in various positions of adjustmentthereof. Assuming the desiredrelative positioning of the upper and lowerelements of the support, said elements may be held in adjusted relationby merely tightening the screw 26 to clamp the portion'31between thearms 23 and 24 of the lower element.-

The' upper end of the blank 28 of Fig. 5 is provided with a relativelylarge perforation 34, and said blank is bent at right angles along thedotted lines 34 34 to provide the integral semiannular strip or flange35. As best shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the flange 35 forms a support towhich all parts of the lamp socket are clamped in interlocking relationto each other.

The lamp socket comprises essentially a stamped metal shell 36 havingthe usual thread 37 formed therein, the upper end of said shell beingpreferably slightly flared, as indicated at 38, to facilitate insertionof the lamp base, (not shown). The lower end of said shell is providedwith a diametrical slot or perforation 39 having an intermediateenlargement 40 (Fig. 16). Freely insertable either upwardly ordownwardly through the slot 39, 40 is a punched and stamped sheet metalmember 41 which forms the wiring terminal for said screw shell contact,-member 41 having spaced arms 42 adapted to rest upon the bottom flanges43 of said screw shell.

The downwardly extending neck portion 44 is adapted to engage the wallsof slot 39 at either end of the latter to prevent substantial lateralmovement of said parts with respect to each other. The portion 44 isprovided adjacent to the lower end thereof with a tapped opening forreception of the usual binding screw 45. The dotted lines in Fig. 9indicate the points at which the blank is bent to form the member 41.

The lower end 46 of member 41 is bent outwardly at right angles to theportion 44 to provide the usual wiring guard, said end 46 having anadditional function as will be pointed out hereinafter. Superimposedupon the arms 42 of member 41 and snugly fitting within the screw shellis an insulating disk or washer 47 having a central perforation 48surrounded by a downwardly tapered flange 49. Superimposed upon disk 47is a metal washer 50 of less diameter than said disk, washer 50 beingalso provided with a central perforation and a downwardly tapered flange51 to accommodate the tapered lower face of the flat-head screw 52.

The asssembly also comprises a pair of relatively thin insulating disks53 and 54. Said disks may preferably be of identical form, and one ofthe same is shown in detail in Fig. 15. Each disk is provided with apair of diametrically opposed radial slots 55 and 56, the walls of saidslots being preferably slightly divergent outwardly. Each disk is alsoprovided with a relatively wider substantially rectangular notch 57 at apoint peripherally equidistant from the slots 55 and 56, and a centralcircular perforation '58 is provided to permit free passage of the shankof screw 52.

The lower disk 53 is interlocked with the upper supporting element-28 byfitting one of the slots over the edge 34 formed by the perforation 34,said disk being so inserted that the notch 5'7 is located on the sameside of element28 as the flanges 29 and 30 of the channel portion.Thereafter a small circular insulating disk 59 is seated upon the disk53 and within thecut away portion 60 of flange 35 (Figs. 1, 6 and 17),said disk also having a perforation to accommodate the shank of screw52. Thereafter the insulating disk 54 is superimposed upon the disk 59and flange 35, with the notch 57 and slots 55 and 56 of theformer alinedwith those of the lower disk 53,-the notches 5'7 of said disks beingadapted to accommodate the depending portion 44 of terminal member 41.

Iheshank-of. screw-.52 is then .Ddfifieddownwardly through the disks 54,59 and 53 and into cooperative engagement with a tapped opening 61 inthe horizontal portion 61 of a center contact terminal member, saidportion 61 having an upwardly projecting extension 62 adapted to enter aperforation 63 in disk 53 to insure proper positioning of said terminalmember. The depending portion 64 of said center contact terminal memberis provided with a tapped opening to receive the binding screw 65, andsaid terminal member is provided with an outwardly extending end 66. Thedotted lines in Fig. 12 indicate the points at which the blank is bentto form the center contact terminal member. 7

Upon tightening of the screw 52 all of the interlocked parts of the lampsocket are rigidly held in assembled relation to each other and to theelement 28. The lower end of screw 52 is thereafter upset or staked topermanently secure said parts in position. The inner ends of the bindingscrews 45 and 65 are also preferably staked to prevent accidentalremoval thereof from the terminal members.

After the various parts are assembled in the manner aforedescribed awound paper tube 67 or the like is telescoped downwardly over the lampsocket until it rests upon the projecting ends 46 and 66 of the terminalmembe rs,said tube preferably frictionally engaging the peripheries ofdisks 53 and 54 to prevent accidental removal of the former. Thedeviceas a whole is adapted to .be enclosed within the usual tube (not shown)of insulating material to simulate a candle.

It will be notedthat the arms 23 and 24 of the lower supporting elementare provided with alined slots 68 and 69 to permit insertion of theshank of a screw driver or similar tool to facilitate threading orattachment of the device to the usual wire conduit or fixture support.Moreover, the alinement of slot'32 in the upper element 28 provides forutilization of said slots 68 and 69 in substantially any relativepositioning of the adjustable supporting elements. 7

While I have shown the adjustable elements 20 and 28 as applied to thesupport of a keyless socket for lamps of relatively small orintermediate size, it will be obvious that the same is adaptable toother sizes and types of lamp sockets.

Also as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, an eyelet or rivetor equivalent securing element may be substituted. for the screw 52.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: I

1. In an electric candle socket assembly, in combination, a screw shellcontact. having a diametric slot in the bottom wall thereof, said slothaving an enlargement intermediate the ends thereof, a separableterminal member therefor, said member having a horizontal bifurcatedportion of substantially rectangular contour the didistancesubstantially equal to the internal diameter of said screw shell, saidterminal member having a depending neck portion engageable with theedges of said slot to hold said parts against relative rotary movement,a binding screw carried by said depending portion, and an end portionextending outwardly at substantially right angles to saiddependingportion, for the purpose set forth.

2. In an electric candle socket assembly, in

member having a depending portion and a bifurcated portion engageablewith the bottom wall 1 5 1.35 ly opposed corners of which are spaced 9.

said shell on opposite sides of said slot, a perforated insulating disksuperimposed upon said bifurcated portion, a pair of substantiallycircular insulating disks underlying said screw shell, a sheet metalsupporting member having a semi annular horizontal flange interposedbetween said insulating disks, a relatively smaller insulating diskinterposed between said first'mentioned disks and nested against theinner edge of said flange, a second terminal member underlying the lowerinsulating disk and having an end portion projecting upwardly into anopening in the latter, a center contact member penetrating all of saidelements and having engagement with said second terminal member, each ofsaid terminal members having a lower end portion extending outwardly atright angles thereto, and an insulating shell slidable over said screwshell and engageable with said end portions of the terminals for supportand positioning by the latter.

3. In an electric candle socket assembly, in combination, a screw shellcontact having a diametric slot in the bottom wall thereof, a terminalmember having a depending portion and a bifurcated portion engageablewith the bottom wall of said shell on opposite sides of said slot, aperforated insulating disk superimposed upon said bifurcated portion, apair of substantially circular insulating disks underlying said screwshell, a sheet metal supporting member having a semi-annular horizontalflange interposed between said insulating disks, a relatively smallerinsulating disk interposed between said first mentioned disks and nestedagainst the inner edge of said flange, a second terminal memberunderlying the lower insulating disk and having an end portionprojecting upwardly into an opening in the latter, a center contactmember penetrating all of said elements and having engagement with saidsecond terminal member, each of said terminal members having a lower endportion extending outwardly at right angles thereto, an insulating shellslidable over said screw shell and engageable with said end portions ofthe terminals for support and positioning by the latter, said sheetmetal member having a depending portion of channel shape in crosssection, a second sheet metal member having a pair of spaced armsbetween which said channel portion is adapted to slide, and a screwpenetrating said channel portion and each of said arms and havingthreaded engagement with one of the latter, whereby said arms may beheld in clamping engagement with said channel portion.

wall of said shell on opposite sides of said slot,

a perforated insulating disk superimposed upon said bifurcated portion,a pair of substantially circular insulating disks underlying said screwshell, a sheet metal supporting member having 'a semi-annular horizontalflange interposed between said insulating disks, a relatively smallerinsulating disk interposed between said first mentioned disks and nestedagainst the inner edge of said flange, a second terminal memberunderlying the lower insulating disk and having an end portionprojecting upwardly into an opening in the latter, a center contactmember penetrating all of said elements and having engagement with saidsecond terminal member, each of said terminal members having a lower endportion extending outwardly at right angles thereto, an insulating shellslidable over said" screw shell and engageable with said end portions 1of the terminals for support and positioning by the latter, said sheetmetal member having a depending portion of channelshape incross section,said channel portion having a slot extending longitudinally thereof, asecond sheet metal member having a threaded bushing formed integrallytherewith and a pair of spaced arms be-, tween which said channelportion is adapted to slide, a screw penetrating the slot in saidchannel and each of said arms and having threaded engagement with one ofthe latter, whereby said arms maybe held in clamping engagement withsaid channel portion, and said arms having a pair of slots alined witheach other and with the slot in'said channel portion in certainpositions of said parts, the walls of said slots being adapted forengagement by a screw driver or similar tool to facilitate attachment ofsaid bushing to'a threaded support. 5. In an electric candle socket, thecombination with a punched metal blank formed to provide a threadedbushing with centrally arranged 'integral inwardly and upwardlyextending arms, a second punched metal blank formed to provide a portionof channel shape adapted for slidable adjustment between said arms andhaving edgewise engagement with one of the latter to insure verticalalinement of said parts, said channelshaped portion having a slot, asingle screw penetrating said slot and engaging said arms to bring thelatter into clamping engagement with said portion in various adjustedpositions of said 110.

tively positioned above and below said flange, a

relatively smaller insulating disk interposed between said firstmentioned disks and nested against the inner edge of said flange, ascrew shell contact adapted to seat upon the upper insulating disk, saidscrew shell having a diametric slot in the bottom wall thereof, aterminal member having an enlarged portion engageable with said bottomwall on opposite sides of said slot and a depending portion engageablewith said upper and lower disks to restrain the same against relativerotary displacement, a second terminal member underlying the lowerinsulating disk and having a lug formed thereon to positively engage thelatter, and a center contact member penetrating all of said elementsand-having engagement with said second terminal member, whereby saidelements are retained in assembled relation to each other and tosaidflange.

6. In an electric candle socket, the combination with a punched metalblank formed to provide a threaded bushing with centrally arrangedintegral inwardly and upwardly extending arms, a second punched metalblank formed to provide a portion of channel shape adapted for slidableadjustment between said arms and having edgewise engagement with one ofthe latter to insure vertical alinement of said parts, saidchannel-shaped portion having a slot, a single screw penetrating saidslot and engaging said arms to bring the latter into clamping engagementwith said portion in various adjusted positions of said parts, said armshaving a pair of slots alined with each other and with said firstmentioned slot in certain positions of said parts, the walls of saidslots being adapted for engagement by a screw driver or similar tool tofacilitate attachment of saidbushing to a threaded support, said secondmentioned blank also having a horizontal flangerformed at the upper endthereof, insulating elements respectively positioned above and belowsaid flange, and screw shell and center contact and terminal elementsassociated with said insulating elements, said insulating elements andsaid contact and terminal elements being inter-engaged with each otherrespectively, and certain of said insulating elements being alsointer-engaged with said second mentioned blank, whereby all of saidparts are, secured in assembled relation to each other and to saidflange.

7. In an adjustable electric candle socket, in

combination, a support having a pair of centrally ment of said elements,said channel-shaped mem- V ber having a closed slot extending throughoutthe major portion of the length thereof, said arms having perforationsalined with each other and with said slot, a screw penetrating said slotand having threaded engagement with one of said perforations to providefor clamping engagement of said arms with said channel member, the shankof said screw being engageable with the ends of said slot to limit thedegree of longitudinal adjustment of said. elements, said channelshapedmember having at its upper end an integral outwardly extending flange ofsubstantially semi-annular form, a pair of substantially circularinsulating disks respectively positioned above and below said flange, arelatively smaller insulating disk interposed between said firstmentioned disks and nested against the inner edge of said flange, ascrew shell contact adapted to seat upon the upper insulating disk, saidshell having a diametric slot in the bottom wall thereof, a terminalmember having a relatively large horizontal portion engageable with saidbottom wall on opposite sides of said slot, said first mentioned diskshaving, alined notches formed therein and said terminal member having adepending portion engageable with the walls of said notches to restrainsaid disks against relative rotary displacement, a second terminalmember underlying the lower insulating disk and having a lug formedthereon, said lower disk having an opening formed therein the Walls ofwhich are engaged by said lug, and a center contact memher having aportion thereof penetrating all of said elements and having engagementwith said second terminal member, whereby said elements are retained inassembled relation to each other and to said flange.

WILLIAM C. TREGONING.

